Perdue readying the veto stamp?

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger suggested at his Tuesday press conference Governor Perdue’s office read the Senate’s budget before issuing any criticism of the areas that they have chosen to cut.

This afternoon, Governor Perdue responded by saying she was reading the package, and would be ready with her veto stamp if improvements weren’t made when the compromise budget hits her desk. Here’s the governor statement:

“This state was built on providing a quality education for all North Carolinians. Let me be clear: it’s a core part of who we are and what we value as a people. I’ve seen the House budget and I’m reviewing the Senate budget. By the time they come together, they need to send me a budget that protects our schools, community colleges and universities. If they pass a budget that undermines our schools and fails to protect the quality of our education system, then I will have no choice but to veto it.”

The Senate Finance Committee will begin discussing the budget plan at 2:45pm. Click here to listen live.

To hear Senator Berger at his weekly press conference, click below: